The Times/Herald poll also showed Crist worse off than other
pollsters last year, but his numbers have declined by around 10 points since
that poll. These are his lowest numbers on record.

Crist’s approval rating has been consistently over 60
percent for much of the year, including in an October poll for the Florida
Chamber of Commerce. A Quinnipiac poll in mid-October showed his approval
rating was still at 59 percent.

In fact, Crist has had the distinction of staying popular
while other governor’s succumbed to faltering economies.

He still holds a sizeable lead in his Senate primary with
former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, at 50-28. But Rubio has closed the gap
in recent polling, and with Crist’s numbers taking a tumble, potential Rubio
supports like the Club for Growth and former Gov. Jeb Bush (R) might finally
weigh in on his behalf.

The poll showed 71 percent of Republicans would rather have
Bush in charge, while just 22 percent preferred Crist. Bush has never gotten
along with Crist, and it’s clear that has backing could sway plenty of voters
toward Rubio.

Crist has been backed by the National Republican Senatorial
Committee (NRSC) and has been the top fundraiser in the country over the last
six months.